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(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, issued the following statement in response to a Management Alert from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office Inspector General (OIG) entitled, “Coast Guard Investigative Service Search and Seizure of DHS OIG and Congressional Communications”:

“Any attempt to retaliate against whistleblowers or impede their right to contact Members of Congress or the Inspector General is intolerable and would likely violate the law. DHS must ensure full accountability for actions taken by the Coast Guard Investigative Service and immediately implement the Inspector General’s recommendations to safeguard the statutory rights of whistleblowers. While the Inspector General’s investigation is continuing, we will seek additional information about the Coast Guard’s actions and closely examine the steps DHS takes to ensure that the Department’s investigatory powers are never again used to retaliate or threaten individuals who make protected disclosures.”